Gardnerella pickettii sp. nov. (formerly Gardnerella genomic species 3) and Gardnerella greenwoodii sp. nov. (formerly Gardnerella genomic species 8) isolated from female urinary microbiome.

During an ongoing female urinary microbiome research study, strains c17Ua_112T and c31Ua_26T isolated from urine samples of a patient diagnosed with overactive bladder and a healthy postmenopausal woman, respectively, could not be allocated to any Gardnerella species with valid names. In this work, we aimed to characterize these strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that these strains are members of the genus Gardnerella. Phylogenetic analysis based on cpn60 strongly supported two clades, one encompassing c17Ua_112T and nine other strains from the public database, and the other including c31Ua_26T and three other strains, which were distinct from currently recognized species of the genus Gardnerella. Likewise, the phylogenomic tree also showed that strains c17Ua_112T and c31Ua_26T formed independent and robust clusters. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between c17Ua_112T and c31Ua_26T were 79.27 and 27.4 %, respectively. Strain c17Ua_112T showed the highest ANI (94.8 %) and dDDH values (59.8 %) with Gardnerella piotii UGent 18.01T, and strain c31Ua_26T revealed highest ANI (84.2 %) and dDDH (29.1 %) values with Gardnerella swidsinskii GS 9838-1T. Based on the data presented here, the two strains c17Ua_112T and c31Ua_26T represent two novel species of the genus Gardnerella, for which the names Gardnerella pickettii (c17Ua_112T=DSM 113414T=CCP 71T) and Gardnerella greenwoodii (c31Ua_26T=DSM 113415T=CCP 72T) are proposed.

MicroMundo@UPorto: an experimental microbiology project fostering student's antimicrobial resistance awareness and personal and social development.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global societal challenge requiring the contribution of professionals along with general community citizens for their containment. Portugal is one of the European countries where a lack of knowledge on the correct use of antimicrobials and AMR problematic is preeminent. Moreover, youth demotivation to pursue science careers is emerging. To address these problems an innovative experimental service-learning pedagogical strategy, MicroMundo@UPorto, was implemented in Portugal during 2018 through University of Porto as a partner of the global Citizen Science project 'Tiny Earth' responding to the AMR crisis. In this first edition of MicroMundo@UPorto, university students (n = 41; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nutrition Sciences) organized in eight teams tutored by university professors/researchers (n = 13) on Microbiology and AMR theoretical and practical aspects as well on communication skills to enable their guidance of younger school students (n = 140/3 schools) in experiments to discover antimicrobial-producing microorganisms while exploring the soil microbial diversity. Post-survey-based evaluation revealed that this project allowed university students to acquire diverse personal, social and scientific skills while increasing AMR awareness, in the One-Health perspective, and interest for science in school students. This University to Society approach can be successfully extended across Portugal and for education in Microbiology in general, with benefits for the future generations contributing to socially responsible and scientifically-literate citizens.

The status of the species Lactobacillus fornicalis Dicks et al. 2000. Request for an opinion.

During a recent study on members of the genus Lactobacillus we realized that cultures of Lactobacillus fornicalis TV 1018T (=DSM 13171T=ATCC 700934T) are no longer available from the online catalogue of the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, being displayed as Lactobacillus plantarum at the American Type Culture Collection. Based on data currently available, the organism deposited as ATCC 700934T is a member of the species Lactobacillus plantarum subs. plantarum. Therefore, the type strain of Lactobacillus fornicalis cannot be included in any further scientific comparative study. This matter is referred to the Judicial Commission, asking for an opinion on the status of the species.

Lactobacillus mulieris sp. nov., a new species of Lactobacillus delbrueckii group.

One Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative, and coccobacilli-shaped strain, designated c10Ua161MT, was isolated from a urine sample from a reproductive-age healthy woman. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain c10Ua161MT belonged to the genus Lactobacillus. Phylogenetic analysis based on pheS and rpoA gene sequences strongly supported a clade encompassing strains c10Ua161MT and eight other strains from public databases, distinct from currently recognized species of the genus Lactobacillus. In silico Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator (GGDC), showed 87.9 and 34.3 % identity to the closest relative Lactobacillus jensenii, respectively. The major fatty acids of strain c10Ua161MT were C18 : 1ω9c (65.0%), C16 : 0 (17.8%), and summed feature 8 (10.2 %; comprising C18 : 1ω7c, and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content of the strains is 34.2 mol%. On the basis of data presented here, strain c10Ua161MT represents a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus mulieris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is c10Ua161MT (=CECT 9755T=DSM 108704T).

Limosilactobacillus urinaemulieris sp. nov. and Limosilactobacillus portuensis sp. nov. isolated from urine of healthy women.

Two Gram-stain-positive strains, c9Ua_26_MT and c11Ua_112_MT, were isolated from voided urine samples from two healthy women. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that these novel strains were members of the genus Limosilactobacillus. Phylogenetic analysis based on pheS gene sequences and core genomes showed that each strain formed a separated branch and are closest to Limosilactobacillus vaginalis DSM 5837T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator (GGDC) values between c9Ua_26_MT and the closest relative DSM 5837T were 90.7 and 42.9 %, respectively. The ANI and GGDC values between c11Ua_112_MT and the closest relative DSM 5837T were 91.2 and 45.0 %, and those among the strains were 92.9% and 51,0 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were C12 : 0 (40.2 %), C16 : 0 (26.7 %) and C18 : 1 ω9c (17.7 %) for strain c9Ua_26_MT, and C18 : 1 ω9c (38.0 %), C16 : 0 (33.3 %) and C12 : 0 (17.6 %) for strain c11Ua_112_MT. The genomic DNA G+C content of strains c9Ua_26_MT and c11Ua_112_MT was 39.9 and 39.7 mol%, respectively. On the basis of the data presented here, strains c9Ua_26_MT and c11Ua_112_MT represent two novel species of the genus Limosilactobacillus, for which the names Limosilactobacillus urinaemulieris sp. nov. (c9Ua_26_MT=CECT 30144T=LMG 31899T) and Limosilactobacillus portuensis sp. nov. (c11Ua_112_MT=CECT 30145T=LMG 31898T) are proposed.

Insight into changes during coagulation in NOM reactivity for trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids formation.

Natural organic matter (NOM) in raw water can contribute in many ways to the poor quality of drinking water, including the formation of disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA) during disinfection. This paper investigates the role of individual NOM fractions on changes in THM and HAA formation during coagulation with iron chloride (FeCl3) and a combination of polyaluminium chloride and iron chloride (FeCl3/PACl). The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the raw water and after coagulation was fractionated into four fractions, based on their hydrophobicity. Fractionation showed that most of the DOC (68%) in the raw water comes from the fulvic acid fraction, yielding 41% of the total THM precursors and 21% of the total HAA precursors. Both coagulants remove the humic acid fraction, but result in different changes to the reactivity of the remaining NOM fractions towards THM and HAA formation, indicating that coagulation occurs by different pathways, depending upon the type of coagulant used. In particular, significant changes in the reactivities of the hydrophilic acidic and non-acidic fractions were observed.

Electrokinetic Treatment of Cr-, Cu-, and Zn-Contaminated Sediment: Cathode Modification.

Enhanced electrokinetic (EK) removal of Cr, Cu, and Zn from sediment by using original and modified integrated ion exchange (IIX™) cathodes was investigated. IIX cathode design and EK device process modifications were made to improve performance: separation of IIX cathode components (IIXS), combination of modified IIX cathode with pulsed electric field (IIXSP), and separation of IIX cathode components with addition of an anion exchange resin compartment (IIXA). After using the IIXSP, overall Cr, Cu, and Zn removal efficacies were significantly improved compared with the other treatments investigated. No improvements in overall Cr, Cu, and Zn removal efficacies were achieved by utilization of IIXA. Nevertheless, significant removal efficacies occurred at the anode region since distribution of the alkaline front was prevented. However, metal accumulation in the cathode region occurred. This was a consequence of metal cation complexation with Cl- released from the anion exchange resin that changed the direction of metal migration. Enhancing EK remediation of Cr-, Cu-, and Zn-contaminated sediment can be achieved by using a modified IIX cathode.